Around 23 members enjoyed an afternoon of chat, information and the opportunity to expand their collections at the Auction on 20th January.

As our Chairman was attending the World Orchid Conference in Florida, the meeting was organised by Sheila, our Programme Secretary and Fran, our Membership Secretary. They opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and explaining that the plants on display would be judged while we were given the latest information on the Society's activities, then the results would be given followed by a brief chat about the winning plants. The Auction would then take place.

Sheila spoke about the Programme, in particular the June outing which is scheduled as a an Orchid Hunt in Hampshire. Those attending will be joining members of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust at a popular site where it claimed 12 varieties of British Wild Orchids grow. There was no mention of a prize for anyone spotting all 12! Further details will be available nearer the time.

Both Fran and Sheila mentioned the Annual show next month, reminding members that orchids and foliage plants for display at the show need to be on site between 08:30 and 09:30. Doors open at 11:00 and judging will have finished by then. More helpers would be welcome, Fran asked members to contact her if they had not already put their names on the form.

Judging completed, the winners were announced:

• 1st — Cymbidium Strathdon 'Chailey Red'
• 2nd — an unnamed Paphiopedilum, thought to be an Insigne hybrid
• Joint 3rd — Laelia gouldiana, Lemboglossum rossii

A short discussion followed on the awarded plants and Graham gave some tips on preparing plants for judging (more details on the Showing page).

Finally Stephen presided over the Auction, assisted by Jonathon, Sheila and Mike.